I’ve been thinking a lot lately of long endless roads and open spaces
Of people, love and endless laughter flowing around. Of good vibes
I’ve always had a mild case of wanderlust but of recent it has become increasingly present determined to be noticed at all cost….
That’s the beginning of one of my many scribblings that I somehow never got around to finishing…
I’m currently on a road trip en route one of our neighbouring countries – Benin with two other people – Alabi of Urbane Hanger and Lola, who I just met but immediately bonded with (We were initially meant to be five, but the others didn’t come through) and I thought to share a bit of the journey with you.
I’m seated right next to the window trying to take in all of the journey, whilst listening to a variety of old Nigerian songs I haven’t heard in a while and thinking of Chris Daughtry’s song about the start of something new and I can’t help but think about how much beauty there is to see out there.
I want to see all of it someday, to experience it all.
Right now though, we haven’t exactly passed any “beautiful place”. Our route takes us majorly through Ogun state and It’s been a lot of brown muddy roads, vegetations, school children running amok and rural type houses.
Although this wasn’t one of the African countries I had in mind when I wrote my bucket list, I’m pretty excited to be doing one thing off my 25 before 25 list so soon already, especially since I never saw it coming (check out the bucket list Here)
We got in through the Idi roko border and I hear it could have been worse but we had to pay both on the Nigerian side of the border and again at the Benin side. I paid N3000 at the Benin side to get in because, apparently that’s the fee for first timers, as opposed to N300. I also had to pay N2000 to get a yellow card.
My first experience of the people of Benin wasn’t exactly pleasant – after the unexpected fees and the way they kept looking for an opportunity to scam us, we got in to meet a lot of rowdiness – crazy drivers with zero regards for human life and people who had no problems with invading your space, touching you without warning and basically just being all over you. (Picture Yaba market but with more aggressive looking people.)
Driving from the border to the city proper, I started warming up slowly to the country. We are staying in a really nice part of the city ( Haie Vive) and its a break from the Lagos scenery I’m used to. The only downside of staying in a nice area is that there are majorly only high-end restaurants around. Getting food has been a struggle, both due to the price and language barrier (Not being able to read the menu and communicate well with the people).
Benin Republic is kinda the best of both worlds (the good and the rough). Make sure you have so much fun. And which one is yellow card again?
These people in with didn't come to have fun of ;(
I might have to come back here again another time to be a tourist proper. Yellow card is like a certificate of vaccination
Definitely document everything, people places food everything, would be quite fun to see. Would definitely be stalking your snaps
Have fun for all of us oh
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I didn't even do much documenting after all my talk. Lmao
Thanks bae!
Haahahah! This looks nice. Sorry I've never been so I can't give any useful advice. But feel free to document it daily! Why not? What are you there for though? Just a break?
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Yesso. Nothing official – just a bunch of people that want to "create content" and aren't allowing me.be a tourist look
So I'm just say I'm here to take a break from Lagos.
Decided not to document daily finally lol .
wow 3000 cuz you're a first timer?! that's ridiculous. I've been to the Republic of Benin several times. The last time was when i was in ss2. My school organized a trip and it was fun! some of them speak yoruba so you could try that if you can manage 😀
What town are you at? Enjoy your trip and welcome to the wanderlust club!
sewafolie.com
Toooo ridiculous! And the woman was forming she can't understand English when we started complaining. Only to start understanding it when we decided to pay. Smh!
I'm in cotonou – a place called haie vive
Interesting. Well done
Hmmmmmmm……….
Thank you Harold
Wow great post! Love the photography. x
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Thanks alot Feyi
I love the pictures. Beautiful African scenery.
Enjoy your stay in Benin, Cassie!
PreciousCore.com
I've only passed through Benin Republic. Oj, I think we stopped by a place. Not sure but I know I didn't particularly enjoy the way we were held down at the border. Make sure you have fun oh and eat new foods.
Laitanbee Blog
Sorry to hear you had a rough time at the border. I hope you continue to document your trip because you've done a good job so far.
Don't Touch the Hair
I'm sorry, you are not having a great time in Cotonou. If possible, ask to be taken to a nice 'maquis' (pronounced 'ma-kee', it's one step up from a buka, clean and the food is usually reasonably-priced). There's one called Chez Lea near the city center that was quite popular the last time I was there. You just have to be open-minded and not expect food and things to be just like Nigeria. If you go to the city center, there's a market, shops and in places like Woodin, they should have people who speak English. For fabrics, ask to be taken to Missebo. Go to Obama Beach, it's a nice beach. There's lots of stuff to do but as I said, be open-minded and you'll get to practice some French! Hope this helps!
I agree with you Cassie, there's so much beauty out there. I really like your hair and your friend's eyeliner is so cute . I've been watching your snaps, hope you have a great time. xx
cocobellablog.com
Never been there but seems like it's a nice country to visit, enjoy! You should visit Cote D'Ivoire too (where I'm from, and currently am) I'm sure you'll enjoy!
xx
DeeVine Anonyme
Your friend's eyeliner is so on fleek.hehe!I'm not particularly ok with travelling to places where I can't communicate properly so I'm all for English speaking countries but enjoy your stay.
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I love Benin Republic! Well, Cotonou to be precise. Schooled there for two years and my main regret is I didn't explore the place so much. I went to their markets though. They have really nice stuff.
I plan to go there and make like a proper tourist soon. I might make it a weekend trip like yours.
Mira La Belle blog
I have been to Benin twice, had pretty ok experiences both times. Don't forget to check out some local markets (the ones that reminds you of Yaba market, lol), I wish I remember the names of some places I visited. Have fun.
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I went to cotonou twice while I was still in secondary school and I remember that one of the things that fascinated us was the cheap rate of things but I don't know about how they are now, I also remember that we went to one very nice beach (I think it's called Eldorado) I think that's about all I remember. Just try to have fun and be open to trying new things.
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Aww..beautiful pix and your friend is pretty too..I've never been to Benin.Enjoy your stay.
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Reading this makes me want to travel more, lovely post!
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Your friend is so pretty!!!
I'm sure you remember Cakes and I's trip to Benin Republic – Berry and Cakes in Cotonou. The journey there (by road) is crappy but we were so relaxed staying there. Nigerians should visit more often.
Berry Dakara Blog
I don't remember reading that post oh but off to go check it out now!
I don't remember reading that post oh but off to go check it out now!
Well, 3000 that's if you stamped your passport it's ok, but 2000naira for yellow card wow it's actually 1000naira for yellow card. Please visit Fidjiroose pladge(beach), try visiting Le Mojito at Gahito for the best cakes, if you a fan.. Also try out the local dishes Atcheke with aloko(plantain) it's nice. You can also check out Mac Boufe(there's a panda in front of the restaurant) it's located at Gahito. Enjoy your stay.
You can check out my Instagram account @ladyphotographer01
Wow 3000naira ok that's if you stamped your passport, 2000naira for yellow card, well it's 1000naira. As for the food aspect, try Mac Boufe it's at Gahito(Akpakpa) there's a panda in front of the restaurant. You should also try visiting Fidjiroose pladge(beach) it's lovely there. Also try their local dish Atcheke with aloko(plantain) it's delicious. Also try visiting Novotel Hotel they have nice buffet, you could visit hotel Tahiti it's at Quartier Jack the view is lovely for someone like you. You can check out my posts on IG @ladyphotographer01
Enjoy your stay
The pictures are amazing. Hope you're having fun. I'd like to make the trip one day if I find a willing accomplice.
I've heard the Iroko border many many things but haven't visit there. I wonder how it looks like?
Interested in the lifestyle of Republic of Benin's people
TuhamWorld.Com
Hopetown… I envy you so much right now! What wouldn't I give to go for a road trip, forget about responsibilities for a while, and put the ideas of tests and deadlines behind me..
*sobs
NEW OUTFIT POST! GRUNGE STYLE
I want to go to Cotonu now 😭😭😭😭😭. Your Instagram pictures are lovely. How do I plan a trip like this with my friends.
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I'm beninese and i saw you sunday walking down in the street of finance ministry and coincidentally i fall today on your instagram. YOU SAY GIRL. My mail if you want smth here: folaalikekere@gmail.com
SLAY*
I can say we had similar experience in Benin Republic, my experience with some of its citizens was not pleasant and oh the touching part, Yaba is better I must say.
Lovely! The weekend is over but I'm sure you had a good time there.At least on your next visit to Cotonou, you won't be a total JJC:)so you'll go more prepared and you'll have way more fun.
I basically used to think french and Spanish was hard until i came to China. I know the struggle of trying to order food in another language and all that. Just use this experience to your advantage, learn basic of the new language ! Go with your mobile translator too .. enjoy your vacation
Your trip looked like so much fun.
Been wanting to go on a road trip to Ghana and this is some well needed ginga! Lol
Please do you know of any transport companies in lagos that go straight to Cotonou.? Thank you so much